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Oneworld Emerald status is key

As a digital nomad who travels frequently on Oneworld airlines outside of the US, the most valuable benefit of AAdvantage status for me is Oneworld Emerald status.

Oneworld Emerald status — which you automatically get if you have Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status in the AAdvantage program — gives me access to first- and business-class lounges, first-class priority check-in, priority boarding and “Fast Track” or when flying with Oneworld airlines. “Priority Lane” access at select airports.

Priority Check-in, Fast Track and Priority Lane have saved me considerable time at check-in, security and passport control at many airports. Access to Cathay Pacific’s The Peer First Class Lounge and Malaysia Airlines First Class Golden Lounge in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is extremely valuable to me even when flying a short regional flight in economy.

Oneworld Emerald status also gives me access to preferred or saved seating depending on the policy of the oneworld airline operating the flight. Some OneWorld airlines pre-block the seats next to Emerald members when the load is light, making flying in economy class more pleasant.

When flying on Oneworld Airlines, I also get 20 extra kilograms (44 pounds) or one extra checked bag in addition to the allowances otherwise allowed, depending on my fare class. This extra allowance allows me not to worry about including checked baggage when booking my ticket, as I only need 20 kilograms or one bag. However, I should avoid British Airways basic fares that only allow hand baggage as these fares do not offer the additional Oneworld Emerald baggage allowance.

Related: Last-Minute Strategies to Get American AAdvantage Elite Status

The main cabin additional seats are comfortable

AAAdvantage Platinum members and above can select main cabin extra seats at booking, while AAAdvantage Gold members can select main cabin extra seats at check-in. So, although I only need Platinum status for this benefit, I appreciate being able to choose main cabin extra seats for myself and up to eight companions on my same reservation after booking or at any time. i do

The main cabin extra seats offer up to 6 inches of extra pitch, making it comfortable to work on my laptop in flight. Since my complimentary upgrades are less often evident, especially in North America, I appreciate knowing that I will still have a comfortable seat from which I can work while flying on American Airlines.

RELATED: From Zero to Executive Platinum: Why and How I Qualified for American’s Top-Level Status Without Planning to Fly the Airline

My first 3 checked bags are free

On American Airlines flights, I get my first three checked bags free for myself and up to eight companions on the same reservation.

Although I rarely check more than one bag, it’s nice to check my husband’s bag as my own if he’s running late. When I hauled equipment internationally for annual robot soccer competitions, my university appreciated the extra cost savings when I checked three suitcases for free.

Related: How American Airlines Got Me Back in AA Advantage with Loyalty Points

Complimentary American Airlines upgrades are dropping in North America

Many AA Advantage members value higher status levels for better opportunities for space-available complimentary upgrades to North America on eligible American Airlines-operated and marketed flights.

Historically, I’ve tended to have better luck clearing these upgrades, but American Airlines is now doing a better job of selling upgrades to travelers on its website and app. As the airline has tuned its dynamic pricing algorithm for paid upgrades, fewer seats are available for complimentary upgrades.

My status level and rolling 12-month loyalty points have dropped, so it’s no wonder I’m getting fewer upgrades. But, it’s also increasingly common for me to hear flight attendants greet and thank Executive Platinum and Concierge Key members sitting around me in main cabin extra seats on flights within North America. Presumably, these top-level elite members are still sitting in the main cabin extras because their complimentary upgrades haven’t even been revealed.

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I don’t need complimentary drinks and snacks

A lesser-known benefit of Executive Platinum status is a standard alcoholic beverage selection on flights with full-drink service and a food item from the menu on flights offering buy-on-board food when flying economy.

I don’t get this benefit as a Platinum Pro member, but that’s okay because when I use my AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® on flights operated by American Airlines, I get a $25 daily statement credit for food and beverage purchases. is Even if my husband and I both wanted an alcoholic drink and a snack, it wouldn’t cost more than what my daily $25 credit would cover.

Information for the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Executive Platinum status is not eligible for additional loyalty points

AAAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 loyalty points — the metric American uses to qualify for Elite status — every 12-month period beginning March 1. Meanwhile, Executive Platinum status requires 200,000 loyalty points, without offering many additional benefits that provide value to me.

The only valuable benefit I would get with Executive Platinum status instead of Platinum Pro status would be higher priority on the complimentary upgrade list for North American flights, a 120% bonus on loyalty points and miles (instead of an 80% bonus) on eligible flights and loyalty point rewards at 175,000 loyalty points. Each qualifying period at option.

Sure, I’d love to pick up two systemwide upgrades at the 175,000 loyalty points threshold and four more at the 250,000 loyalty points threshold each qualifying period, but I don’t think these benefits are worth the extra loyalty points.

Related: When does airline elite status expire?

I’m in 2-player mode with a British Airways Gold member

I travel frequently with my husband who has Oneworld Emerald status through the British Airways Executive Club and plan to continue to qualify for at least Oneworld Sapphire status through the Executive Club.

When you have OneWorld Sapphire status or higher through the International Program and are traveling on a OneWorld airline, you and a guest can visit OneWorld lounges — including American Airlines flagship lounges — while traveling within the U.S. Even while doing

I’d be tempted to get British Airways status if it wasn’t for my husband’s primarily US lounge access and non-cost-based elite-qualifying metrics. Finally, the main benefit I would lose when flying on American Airlines with British Airways status instead of Oneworld status is access to complimentary upgrades on flights within North America (which doesn’t clear up for me very often).

But, continuing to get AAdvantage Platinum Pro status for the occasional upgrade while flying American Airlines with Oneworld Emerald status works for me. Meanwhile, its status gives us lounge access when flying within the US

RELATED: Why This Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Change Could Make Me Quit American’s AAdvantage Program

How do I earn AAdvantage Platinum Pro status?

At this point, you’re probably wondering how I’m earning enough loyalty points each qualifying period to maintain Platinum Pro status. Finally, AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires you to earn 125,000 loyalty points during each 12-month period beginning March 1.

Here’s a breakdown of how I’ve earned loyalty points this year since March 1:

As you can see, I have earned 96,407 loyalty points out of the 125,000 I need by February 28, 2025. I reached the 60,000 loyalty points milestone on August 17, 2024, which means I’m earning an additional 20% loyalty when I spend with select partners (including SimplyMiles and AAdvantage eShopping) until February 18, 2025.

I plan to earn most of the remaining loyalty points by spending them on my AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard. I have spent $13,908 on my card so far during this qualifying period, but plan to earn an additional 5,000 loyalty points once I spend $20,000 during this qualifying period and an additional 5,000 loyalty points once I spend $40,000.

So, by spending $40,000 on my Aviator Silver MasterCard during this qualifying period, I would earn 40,000 loyalty points plus an additional 10,000 loyalty points. I’ve already earned 13,908 loyalty points from spending on my Aviator Silver MasterCard, so meeting these two thresholds will increase my loyalty point balance to 132,499 without any additional activity.

The Hyatt Duel accrual benefit expires on December 31, 2024 and I don’t have any more payments for Hyatt before the end of the year, so I won’t be earning any more loyalty points through that partnership. Likewise, I have no paid oneworld flights booked until the end of February (although I have several award flights booked on oneworld airlines). I may earn a few more loyalty points through SimiliMiles and AAdvantage e-shopping before this qualifying period ends, but I don’t expect this to make a significant impact.

Related: American Airlines Chasing Elite Status? Here are 15 ways to earn loyalty points

The bottom line

AAdvantage Platinum Pro is a sweet spot American Airlines elite status for me because I find it important to have Oneworld Emerald status when flying on other Oneworld airlines.